Impact absorbing keyboard, contoured to the natural shape of the hand

ABSTRACT

This invention provides novel keyboards comprising keys disposed such that they minimize the distance a finger typically must travel to effect a keystroke and the force that is applied to effect a keystroke. Accordingly the keyboards require less arm and finger movement to and thereby reduce the likelihood of an operator developing a repetitive stress injury (RSI). In one embodiment the keyboards comprise a plurality of keys disposed such that the alphanumeric keys form a continuous key array defining a key array surface having at least two concave regions wherein a plurality of keys present irregular and/or non-rectilinear striking faces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/229,649filed on 13 Jan. 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.08/957,964, filed on Oct. 21, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,616, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for allpurposes.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSOREDRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to keyboards, and in particular to anergonomic keyboard designed to minimize stress and injury related tocarpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Incidents of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), for example Carpal TunnelSyndrome (CTS), are increasing at an astronomical rate, affecting nearlytwo million workers annually and costing an estimated $20 billion peryear in workers′ compensation, medical benefits, and lost wages. RSI tothe upper extremities results, in part, from the repetitive reaching,stretching, bending, flexing, and twisting of fingers. Maintaining thewrist in an awkward position during these repetitive motions increasesthe likelihood of injury. Over time, these awkward repetitive motionscan inflame soft tissue, creating pressure on various nerves and causingpain, numbness, and tingling sensations in the upper extremities. Unlesstreated, RSI may result in pain, numbness, weakness, and loss ofdexterity due to pressure on the median nerve.

The group most affected by RSI is keyboard operators such assecretaries, data entry personnel, computer programmers, call centercustomer service employees, and journalists. From the standpoint oftyping speed, keyboards have advantageously evolved to the point wherepauses in typing, formerly required in older model typewriters forcarriage returns, paper feeds, and manual error corrections, are nolonger required. While disadvantageous from an efficiency standpoint,these typing pauses significantly reduced strain and fatigue on thefingers, wrists, lower arms, upper arms, shoulders, neck, and back.Consequently, this reduced the occurrence of CTS and other repetitivestrain injuries.

Despite the increased efficiency of the keyboard, the evolution of thekeyboard from an ergonomic and health standpoint has been largelyoverlooked. With a conventional keyboard, the palms “float” in the airor rest on the desk in front of the keyboard and the wrist and fingersbend upward to depress the keys. Consequently, the muscles and tendonsin the lower arm, neck, and shoulders must continually support thefingers at this upward angle to prevent the fingers from inadvertentlystriking the keys. Maintaining this position while typing for anextended period of time can strain the muscles and tendons of the lowerarm, neck, and shoulders and significantly contributes to CTS and otherrepetitive strain injuries.

Additionally, many keyboards today have a non-linear relationshipbetween the force applied to a key relative to the downward distance akey travels during a key stroke. That is, in order to preventinadvertent key striking, many keyboards require a relatively largeforce to initiate a key stroke, but require a relatively small force onthe keyboard key for the remainder of the stroke. The result is thatoften a greater force than necessary is applied to a key during thelatter portion of the key stroke, and the abrupt end of the strokeresults in an impact or shock on the fingers. While this effect isrelatively insignificant in striking a single key, the cumulative effectof these forces and shocks from continuous typing can aggravate nervesand soft tissue in the upper extremities to the point that CTS and otherrepetitive strain injuries can occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides novel keyboards comprising keys disposed suchthat they minimize the distance a finger typically must travel to effecta keystroke and the force that is applied to effect a keystroke.Accordingly the keyboards require less arm and finger movement to andthereby reduce the likelihood of an operator developing a repetitivestress injury (RSI).

In preferred embodiments, the keyboards of this invention exploit thefact that the average human hand has fingers of different lengths.Consequently the keys are disposed to place their striking facescloser/more accessible to shorter and/or weaker fingers than thecorresponding keys in conventional keyboards. Because the fingers in thecenter of a hand tend to be longer than the distal fingers, in preferredembodiments the keys reached by the distal fingers are raised relativeto the keys struck by the proximal (middle) fingers. Consequently, incertain embodiments, the keys actuated by a particular hand are disposedin a generally concave or bowl-shaped configuration.

Thus, in one embodiment, this invention provides a keyboard comprising aplurality of keys disposed such that the alphanumeric keys form acontinuous key array defining a key array surface having at least twoconcave (e.g. bowl-shaped) regions. In preferred embodiments, aplurality of keys comprising a concave region in the key array are notstepped. More preferably a plurality of keys comprising the keyboard aresloped.

In one preferred embodiment the “K” and or the “D” keys lowest point ofone the concave region(s). In one embodiment, the “K” and “D” keys havethe lowest striking faces of all of the letter keys.

In certain embodiments, striking faces of the keys are disposed atvarying heights such that the faces in a home row typically struck withthe pinky are higher than keys in a home row typically struck by themiddle finger; the angle and/or slope of the striking faces of the keysvaries with the location of the keys in the keyboard; and the planarprojections of the striking faces of a plurality of keys comprising thekeyboard are not rectilinear (more preferably rectangular, and/or notcircular, and/or not square, and/or not L-shaped). In certainembodiments, no keys comprising the keyboard are square, rectangular,circular, or L-shaped.

In some preferred embodiments, the planar projection of the strikingfaces of a plurality of keys comprising the keyboard are substantiallyovoid. The lateral offsets of the keys may vary with their location inthe keyboard. Thus a row of keys in the keyboard may comprise three ormore letter keys (preferably four or more letter keys, and morepreferably five or more letter keys) the striking faces of which havedifferent lateral offsets. Similarly, the rear or forward offsets of thekeys (e.g. the key pillows) may vary with their location in thekeyboard. Thus a row of keys in the keyboard may comprise three or moreletter keys (preferably four or more letter keys, and more preferablyfive or more letter keys) the striking faces of which have differentforward and/or rearward offsets.

In addition, the orientation (e.g. the slope and/or angle) of thestriking faces of the keys may vary, e.g. along a row. Thus a row ofkeys in the keyboard may comprise three or more letter keys (preferablyfour or more letter keys, and more preferably five or more letter keys)the striking faces of which have different orientations (e.g. anglesand/or slopes).

In certain embodiments, the orientation of the major principal axis ofthe striking faces of the keys in a row varies with the position of thekeys in said row.

In certain embodiments, the keyboard comprises one or more keys havingtwo or more striking faces.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the planar projection of thestriking faces of a plurality of keys comprising the keyboard are notsquare, not circular, not L-shaped, and not rectangular, and theorientation (e.g. the slope and/or angle) of the striking faces of thekeys varies along a row. In certain preferred embodiments, keys in therow above the home row have surfaces angled downward toward the home rowso as to physically position the keys closer to the pinky and ringfingers and/or keys in the row below the home row have surfaces angledupward toward the home row so as to physically position the keys closerto the pinky and ring fingers.

In preferred embodiments, the vertical distance between the lower-moststriking face of a key comprising one of said concave regions and theuppermost striking face of a key on the keyboard is at least about 2 mm,preferably at least about 5 mm, more preferably at least about 8.5 mm,most preferably at least about 10 mm, 15 mm or even 20 mm. Conversely,in certain embodiments, the vertical distance between the lower-moststriking face of a key comprising one of said concave regions and theuppermost striking face of a key on the keyboard is at less than about30 mm, preferably less than about 20 mm, more preferably less than about15 mm, and most preferably less than about 10 mm. A particularlypreferred height range is from about 1 to about 10 mm with a mostpreferred distance being about 8.5 mm.

In certain embodiments, the keys comprising a concave region in said keyarray have striking faces oriented such that lines normal to thestriking faces of at least two, (preferably at least three, morepreferably at least four, and most preferably at least five or six) keysall point in different directions, e.g., orientations (e.g. slopesand/or angles) are all different.

A key comprising one of said concave regions may have a key face rotatedto substantially align with the key array surface within one of saidconcave regions and a key array preferably comprises at least two(preferably at least three, more preferably at least four, and mostpreferably at least five or six) keys having different angles and/orslopes from each other.

In one particularly preferred embodiment the key array comprises a key,preferably a plurality of keys, having a striking face the planarprojection of which describes an ellipse.

In certain embodiments, the major axis of the keys (e.g., particularlythe major axes of elliptical keys) are directed diagonally generallytoward the center of keyboard and/or diagonally generally toward thecenter of a “concave” region. In certain embodiments, the key arraycomprises a key comprising a striking surface having an angle and aslope such that the surface of the striking face is not generallyparallel to the keyboard surface, but is oriented generallyperpendicular to the line of action of a finger striking said face whena users hands are positioned in home position and the finger used tostrike said key is the finger used in a standard touch typing system.

The keys comprising a keypad preferably have a center to center spacingranging from 0.25 inch to about 1.5 inches, more preferably from 0.5inches to 1.0 inches, and most preferably have a “standard” spacing(e.g. 0.75 inch).

The key faces of the keys may also vary. Indeed, the key faces of keysother than selector keys may vary. Thus, in certain embodiments, letteror punctuation keys struck by the fifth finger have a larger strikingface than the striking face of keys struck by the first (index) fingerin a standard touch typing system.

In certain embodiments, the shape of the keys varies such that thedistance between the edges of the striking faces of two adjacent keysvaries along said edges. In certain keyboards, the key array comprises arow of keys in which each key in said row has a single topmost pointand/or each key has a single bottom-most point, and the spacing topmostpoints or the bottom-most of the keys in the row may not be constant.

Rows of keys may comprise different keys having forward extent and/orrear and/or side extents. A plurality of keys may also have anoff-center axis.

In preferred embodiments, the edges and/or corners of the keys arerounded. Preferred “rounds” range from about 0.005 to about 0.5 inch,with particularly preferred rounds ranging being softer than about 0.02inch. The “skirts” of the keys (e.g. the sides of the key pillows) aretypically uniform, however, in certain embodiments, they are notuniform. Certain preferred keyboards comprise keys having striking facesthat are substantially elliptical in shape.

In another embodiment, this invention provides an keyboard comprising atleast one key (more preferably at least two keys, most preferably atleast three or four keys) having at least two striking faces. Onepreferred such keyboard is a computer keyboard. In particularlypreferred embodiments, the key(s) comprising at least two striking facesare character keys and/or selector keys.

In another embodiment, this invention provides keys for the fabricationof such a keyboard. Thus, this invention provides a key for anelectronic keyboard, where the key comprises at least two strikingfaces. In preferred embodiments, the key for a computer keyboard. Inmore preferred embodiments, the key is a character key or a selectorkey.

Also provided are kits for the fabrication or modification of akeyboard. Preferred kits comprise a plurality of keys or key pillowssufficient to produce a keyboard as described herein. Preferred keypillows are shaped to slip over a key of a keyboard or shaped to affixto the striking faces of keys of a keyboard. The kit typically comprisesa plurality of keys one or more of which, optionally, comprise two ormore striking faces. Preferred kits also include instructional materialsdescribing the use of the keys or key pillows to alter a keyboard and/orthe keys to assemble a keyboard.

In one embodiment this invention provides a key for a keyboard (e.g.,for use in an electronic keyboard), where the key comprises a keypedestal, and a key pillow where the key pillow comprises two or morestriking faces.

In another embodiment this invention provides a key for a keyboard,where the key comprises a key pedestal and a key pillow where the keypillow is shaped to provide a striking face that is not horizontal andnot vertical when the key is present in a keyboard and where thestriking face has a single topmost point.

DEFINITIONS

A “key array surface” refers to a surface generally defined by thestriking faces of a plurality of keys comprising a keyboard (key array).Such a surface may be visualized as a surface that would be created byadhering a continuous flexible polymer or membrane to the striking facesof all the keys comprising the key array or subsection thereof ofinterest. The heights and orientations of each striking face determinethe height and orientation of the key array surface at that location. Asthe membrane traverses the space between one key and the next, thelocation of the membrane defines a surface spanning the gaps between thekeys.

A “concave region” or a “bowl-shaped” region refers to a region of thekey array surface that is concave or bowl-shaped. The concave region istypically created by keys whose striking faces are disposed at varyingheights above the surface on which the keyboard rests such that certainkeys have striking faces situated at heights lower than the heights ofthe striking faces of surrounding keys (see, e.g., FIG. 1A).

The front of a keyboard refers to the edge of the keyboard closest tothe user when the user is seated in a typing position. The “rear” of akeyboard refers to the edge of a keyboard farthest away from the userwhen the user is seated in a typing position. The “left” and “right”sides of the keyboard refer to the left and right edges of the keyboardas seen by a user seated in a typing position.

The term “character key” refers to a key that, when present in akeyboard and depressed, ultimately produces or signals a representation(e.g. an electronic or mechanical representation) of a letter of thealphabet (e.g. small or capital “a” through “z” in an English alphabet).The key may bear a representation of the character it signals. Acharacter key is a key typically used to type sentences. Generally a keyarray consisting of “character” keys excludes a numeric key or a cursorkey. It is recognized that in one embodiment, a character key padincludes keys for substantially all the characters of an alphabet. Thecharacter keypad can, in some embodiments, additionally and optionallyinclude punctuation keys and/or keys encoding symbols and/or keysencoding numbers.

The term “punctuation key” refers to a key that, when present in akeyboard and depressed, ultimately produces or signals a representation(e.g. an electronic or mechanical representation) of a punctuation mark(e.g. “.”, “,”, “;”, “?”, “′”,“″”, etc.). The key may bear arepresentation of the punctuation mark it signals. The term “number key”refers to a key that, when present in a keyboard and depressed,ultimately produces or signals a representation (e.g. an electronic ormechanical representation) of a number (e.g. “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”,“5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”). The key may bear a representation of thenumber it signals.

The term “selector key” refers to a key that, when present in a keyboardand depressed, ultimately produces or signals a selection of aparticular character, number, or punctuation subset, or signals someaction. Typical selector keys include, but are not limited to “tab”,“caps lock”, “num lock”, “alt”, “enter”, “ctrl”, “arrow”, and the like.The key may bear a representation of the action or selection it signals.

The orientation of the striking face of a key is characterized by an“angle” and a “slope”. The “angle” of the striking face refers to theorientation of the striking face when the key is viewed from the frontof the keyboard. Thus the angle of the striking face determines theleft-right slope of the striking face of the key. The “slope” of thestriking face of a key refers to the orientation of the striking facewhen the key is viewed from the side of the keyboard. Thus the slope ofthe striking face determines the front-back slope of the striking faceof the key.

The “planar projection of the striking face of a key” refers to theprojection of a striking face of a key on a surface, preferably asviewed along a line generally normal to the striking face of the key.

“Highest” or “lowest” with respect to a key indicates the position ofthe striking face of the key with respect to the surface upon which thekeyboard rests. The highest key in a set of keys refers to the key inthat set whose striking face is the greatest distance away from thesurface upon which the keyboard rests. Conversely, the lowest key in aset of keys refers to the key in that set whose striking face is thesmallest distance away from the surface upon which the keyboard rests.

A “forward offset” of a key or the “forward offset of the striking face”of a key refers to the distance forward that a key or the striking faceof a key extends. This may be with reference to the center of the key,with reference to the center of a key pedestal, and most preferably iswith reference to a line passing generally through the middle of a rowof keys. Thus a key having a greater forward extent than another key inthat row typically has a striking face that extends farther forward inthe keyboard than a key in the same row having a lesser forward extent.Conversely, a key having a greater rear extent or a greater rearwardextent than another key in that row typically has a striking face thatextends farther to the rear of the keyboard than a key in the same rowhaving a lesser rearward extent.

“Lateral extent” or “lateral offsets” refers to the distance to the leftor right that a key or the striking face of a key extends. Left offsetrefers to extension of the key or striking face to the left (when facingthe keyboard) and right offset refers to extension of the key orstriking face to the right (when facing the keyboard).

A “regular polygon” refers to a polygon having equal sides, and theangles between these sides are equal.

The differences between a “sloped” and a “stepped” keyboard areillustrated in FIG. 1A (“sloped”) and FIG. 1B (stepped). In a steppedkeyboard, the keys in adjacent at different heights have their strikingfaces oriented in substantially the same direction. Consequently thesurface defined by the striking faces of keys at different heights isstepped, much like a stair-step (see, FIG. 1B). Thus, for example, in a“conventional” keyboard each row of keys is lower than the row behind itand all the keys in a row are typically the same height (the strikingfaces are at the same height). Seen from the side the rows are likestair steps. In contrast, in a “sloped” surface, the surface (e.g. thekey array surface) defined by the key-faces is a substantiallycontinuous surface.

An “alphanumeric keypad” refers to a keypad comprising character keysand number keys.

A “key array” refers to a collection of keys in a keyboard. The keyarray is said to be “continuous” where the keys are in a generallyuniforn spacing, i.e., there are no clear and significant gaps (e.g.greater than ½ row width, preferably greater than 1 row width, morepreferably greater than 1.5 or 2 row widths) lacking keys. A “split”keyboard or a split key array typically has a clearly delineated gap inthe key pad thereby forming two discrete keypads.

A “standard touch typing system” refers to a touch typing system basedon a QWERTY keyboard, e.g. typically using an English keyboard. Astandard touch typing system can also refer to a touch typing systembased on a non-English keyboard.

A key that has an “off-center axis” refers to a key in which the centerof the pedestal is not co-aligned with the center of the striking faceof the key.

A key that has “a single topmost point” is a key that has a strikingface shaped such that the perimeter of the striking face has a singlepoint is disposed closest to the rear of the keyboard. A key that has a“horizontal rear edge” (e.g. a square or rectangular key) does not havea single point disposed closest to the rear of the keyboard. A key thathas a single “lower-most or bottom-most point” is a key that has astriking face shaped such that the perimeter of the striking face has asingle point is disposed closest to the front of the keyboard.

A “non-rectilinear key” refers to a key in which a striking face (theplanar projection of a striking face) has at most one straight edge, andmore preferably has no straight edges.

An “irregular key” refers to a key whose striking face (the planarprojection of the striking face) is not a regular polygon.

The term “home row” refers to the row of the keyboard over which theindex fingers are oriented in the basic/reference position. The home rowof a QWERTY keyboard is typically the row containing the letters “F, and“J” (sometimes referred to as the “home keys”).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate a cross-section of a key row showing the“bowl” shaped configuration of keys formed by a set of keys typicallystruck by one hand. For the purpose of clarity, the relative heights ofthe key pillows are exaggerated to FIG. 1A illustrates a “sloped”configuration, while FIG. 1B illustrates a “stepped” configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates a surface defined by the keys forming a dualbowl-shaped (wave-shaped) configuration of a keyboard.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrates two keys showing the key pillow 26, thekey pedestal 32, and the striking face 34. FIG. 3A illustrates a keyhaving a single striking face 26, while FIG. 3B illustrates a key havingtwo striking faces 26.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a keyboard according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a keyboard according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a keyboard according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C show photographs of one particularlypreferred embodiment of a keyboard of this invention.

FIG. 8 shows an illustration of another embodiment of a keyboard of thisinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the keyboard having a keyboardattachment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view through line 2-2 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a key according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a key according to another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is yet another sectional view of a key of the keyboard accordingto yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a keyboard which has a key pillowassembly according to the present invention and is deflatable/compressible for use with portable computers and other devices and isshown in a deflated/compressed state.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of keyboard which has a key pillowassembly according to the present invention and is compressible ordeflatable for use with portable computers or other devices and is shownin the inflated/expanded state.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention where only a single key, e.g., the spacebar, extends into acomfort zone of a user.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating palm rests according to the presentinvention attached to a keyboard.

FIG. 18 is a view of a computer mouse having keys thereon that extendinto a comfort zone of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention provides novel keyboards comprising keys disposed suchthat they minimize the distance a finger typically must travel to effecta keystroke and the force that is applied to effect a keystroke.Accordingly the keyboards require less arm and finger movement to andthereby reduce the likelihood of an operator developing a repetitivestress injury (RSI).

The invention, in one embodiment, is generally described with referenceto FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 which typically depict a keyboard 20 having alength and width approximating that of a conventional full-sizedkeyboard (e.g., approximately 20 inches by 8 inches). Other dimensionsmay be used in alternative embodiments. The keyboard 20 may have astandard or non-standard keyboard layout of alphanumeric keys. Onepreferred embodiment comprises a standard QWERTY layout. Anotherpreferred embodiment comprises a standard Dvorak layout. Commoncommercial adaptations of the standard layout include the AT keyboardlayout, XT keyboard layout and APPLE MACINTOSH® IMAC® keyboard layout.Non-standard keyboard layouts include for example splitting the standardlayout into two halves, angled with respect to each other, such as forexample the Natural Keyboard manufactured by MICROSOFT® Corporation andothers. It is understood that the present invention may be adapted towork with any of the various known keyboards. Additionally, it iscontemplated that the present invention may be used on keys of otherdevices, including but not limited to, musical instruments, cashregisters, calculators, adding machines, telephones, laptop computers,notebook computers, medical devices, and stenographic machines.

The keyboards of this invention are designed in accord with the naturalshape of a human hand. In a typical human hand, the fingers are ofdifferent lengths, the middle finger, for example, being longer than thelittle finger (pinky). In preferred embodiments, the keys in thekeyboards of this invention are disposed such that the distances thatmust be traveled by shorter fingers to effect a keystroke are reduced.Thus, in preferred embodiments, the striking faces of keys struck by thelittle finger or fourth finger are closer (to the center of the hand ina standard touch-typing position) than in typical keyboards.

Conversely, the key faces typically struck by longer fingers (e.g. themiddle finger) may be farther away (from the center of the hand) thanthe keys struck by the shorter fingers. In addition, the striking facesof the keys are oriented to optimize the angle of the key face(s)relative to the striking finger(s) (e.g. to place the striking facenormal to the line of action of the finger) thereby improving theefficiency and ease of a key strike. As a consequence, the keyboards ofthis invention offer greater comfort, require substantially less fingerand arm movement, and thereby reduce the likelihood of developing arepetitive stress disorder associated with keyboard use.

Because the fingers in the middle of a typical human hand are longerthan the fingers at the periphery, in preferred embodiments, thestriking faces of the keys struck by peripheral fingers,, (e.g. thefirst finger and the pinky) will be raised relative to the strikingfaces struck by the middle fingers. Consequently, in certainembodiments, the set of keys struck by a particular hand will tend toform a bowl-shaped configuration. That is, if the striking faces of thekeys are regarded as defining a surface (e.g. as if one were to stretcha plastic film over the surface of the keys), that surface would achievea generally bowl-shaped (concave) configuration (see, e.g., FIG. A andB). In the case of a right hand configuration, for example, the “K” key(in a QWERTY keyboard) might form the bottom (low point) of the bowl,while keys such as the “P” or “bracket keys” might form a high edge ofthe bowl. In certain embodiments, the “numeric” keys or key in the “top”row might form high edge of the bowl.

Where a keyboard incorporates keys for use with both hands, inembodiments, the keys used by each hand will preferably form abowl-shaped configuration resulting in two bowl-shaped configurations ina single keypad thereby giving rise to a “wave-shaped” configuration(FIG. 2). Thus, the keys in any particular key row are preferably atdifferent heights (e.g., any row contains at least 2 keys, preferably atleast 3, keys, more preferably at least 4 keys, and most preferably atleast 5 keys at different heights). Where the keyboard is split, e.g.the keys serviced by the left hand are in a keypad separate from thekeys serviced by the right hand, each side of the “split” willpreferably form a single bowl-shaped configuration. Similarly, aseparate numeric keypad or telephone keypad, etc. will also preferablyform a separate bowl-shaped configuration.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the keys of the keyboard,although at different heights, have the faces angled such that thekeyboard (keyfaces) form a sloped configuration (see, FIG. 1A). That isthe surface defined by the key-faces is a substantially continuoussurface. This is in contrast to the typical “stepped” configurationwhere keys at different heights have their striking faces oriented insubstantially the same direction. Consequently the surface defined bythe striking faces of keys at different heights is stepped, much like astair-step (see, FIG. 1B). Thus, for example, in a “conventional”keyboard each row of keys is lower than the row behind it and all thekeys in a row are typically the same height (the striking faces are atthe same height).

As illustrated in FIG. 3 the keys 30 used in the keyboards of thisinvention preferably comprise a key pedestal 32 and a key pillow 26. Itis recognized in some embodiments, however, that the key pillow and keypedestal may be essentially continuous and indistinguishable. The keypillow typically provides one or more striking faces 34. The key pillowallows the keys to vary in shape and affords a comfortable mass to thekey. The use of a key pedestal distinct from the key pillow allows thekey pillow to communicate with the electronic actuator(s) (theswitch(es) that transform the mechanical action of the key into anelectrical contact) through a uniform series of apertures in thekeyboard base while the key pillows vary in shape. The varying height(s)of the keys can be achieved by varying the heights of the key-pillowsand/or by varying the heights of the key pedestals, and/or by varyingthe height of the actuator surface(s) upon which the key pedestals rest.

In particularly preferred embodiments, another feature that improves thecomfort and efficiency of the keyboards of this invention is the use of“irregular” keys. In preferred embodiments, the keys used in thekeyboards of this invention are shaped such that the striking facesdiffer in surface area and/or shape with keys that are more difficult toreach and keys that are struck with high frequency having larger areastriding faces. In addition, in certain keys, the striking face may beoffset such that the center of the striking face is disposed towards thecenter of the hand (when the hand is in a conventional touch typingposition). In such instances, the center of the striking face may not beover the center of the key pedestal.

While “traditional” (e.g. the IBM “standard”) keyboards have keys ofdifferent shape, the “unusual shaped” keys are limited to “selector”keys (e.g. ctrl, shift, tab, alt, caps lock, etc.), the space bar, andthe “enter” key. Typically the remaining keys (e.g. character keysand/or number keys) all have the same shape.

In preferred keyboards of this invention the shape and/or angle and/orslope of the striking face of the key may vary with the position of thekey in a particular row. Thus, in certain embodiments, this inventioncontemplates keyboards that have at least two character keys, preferablyat least three character keys, more preferably at least four characterkeys, and most preferably at least five character keys of differentshape in a given row. In certain embodiments, multiple character keysmay have the same general shape (e.g. all ovoid), but have key facesthat are oriented in substantially different directions (see, e.g. FIG.4). Such keys are regarded as having different shapes.

In particularly preferred embodiments, a plurality (e.g. more thanthree, preferably more than four, more preferably ten or more, and mostpreferably fifteen or more) of the keys, more preferably the characterkeys and/or the number keys, comprising the keyboard are generallynon-rectilinear or irregular, and most preferably are non-rectilinearand irregular. A non-rectilinear key refers to a key in which a strikingface (the planar projection of a striking face) has at most one straightedge, and more preferably has no straight edges. An irregular key refersto a key whose striking face (the planar projection of the strikingface) is not a regular polygon.

In certain preferred embodiments, a number of the keys are elongate inone direction (e.g. ovoid) and/or generally asymmetric. The strikingfaces (the planar projections of the striking faces) of such keys aretypically characterized by a major and a minor axis that are ofdifferent lengths. The major axis is the axis (line) through the twopoints along the edge of the striking face (along the edge of a planarprojection of the striking face) that are farthest away from each other.The minor axis is the axis normal to the major axis that passes throughthe midpoint of the major axis. Often the elongate or “asymmetric” keysare oriented such that the orientation of the major axis varies with theposition of the key in a particular row. In preferred embodiments, themajor axis is oriented so that it is generally oriented towards thecenter of the “bowl” shape discussed above. Thus for example keysdisposed towards the center of a keyboard may have a principle axisoriented, diagonally towards an outside edge, while keys disposedtowards an outside edge may have a principle axis generally orientedtowards the center of the keyboard. Thus, for example, in anotherperspective view of a keyboard according to the present invention.

FIG. 6, the principle axes of the three rightmost keys in the third rowfrom the back of the keyboard are oriented from front left to rearright, while keys four through eight of that same row have theirprinciple axes oriented from front right to rear left.

As indicated above, and illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in preferredembodiments, the faces of the keys are generally canted to present aface generally normal to the line of action of a finger striking thekey. In this manner the greatest force is delivered to the key face andminimal effort is required to activate the key.

Some keys may be struck by fingers (thumbs) of either hand in standardtouch typing systems. A strike from the thumb or forefinger of the righthand will have a very different line of action than a strike from thethumb or forefinger of the left hand. In certain preferred embodiments,it is desirable to have one or more keys (e.g. at least one key,preferably at least two keys, more preferably at least 3 keys) with twoor more striking faces oriented in different directions (see, e.g., FIG.3B and FIG. 5). Such keys man include one or more keys selected from thegroup consisting of the “B” key, the “N” key, the “G” key, the “H” key,the “T” key, the “Y” key, the “″5”, “6” or “7” keys in the standardQWERTY layout or other keys, preferably in equivalent positions on thekeyboard.

In particularly preferred embodiments, to improve comfort, particularlywhen the keys are struck “off center” the keys have rounded corners andedges. Particularly when embodied in non-rectilinear and/or irregularkeys, this provides a so called “organic” look and feel reported asdesirable by testers. In preferred embodiments, the keys, particularlythe key pillows have rounds softer than (i.e. a radius of curvaturegreater than 0.01 inch, preferably softer than 0.02 inch, morepreferably softer than 0.03 inch, and most preferably softer than 0.05inch.

Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, another perspective view of a keyboardaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 which illustrate various preferred embodiments, thereis shown a keyboard 20 including keys 30. Typical keys 30 comprise a keypillow 26 and a key pedestal 32 and the key pillow may form one or morestriking faces 34. The key heights vary along a row such that thekeyboard forms two “bowl-shaped” configurations one bowl generallycorresponding to the keys struck by the left and the other “bowl”generally corresponding to the keys struck by the right hand. Aplurality of the character keys are irregular and non-rectilinear andthe edges and corners of the keys are rounded. Keys that are typicallydifficult to reach and/or strike have enlarged striking faces and thekeys are disposed such that the striking faces 34 of the keys are cantedtowards the fingers that would be used to strike them in a standardtouch typing system. In addition, the keys are disposed such that thedistance traveled by a finger to effect a keystroke, particularly a“pinky” or “ring finger” is reduced as compared to a standard (e.g.flat) keyboard. While the numeric keypad illustrated in the keyboardappears substantially flat it will be appreciated that the keyscomprising the numeric keypad can also be disposed in a general“bowl-shaped” configuration as well. One particularly preferredembodiment is illustrated in the photograph shown in FIG. 7.

The striking faces of the keys are generally flat. However, certainstriking faces are slightly concave (e.g. to prevent the striking fingerfrom slipping off the striking face) and certain other faces may beslightly convex to bring the striking face slightly closer to the hand.

In certain embodiments, the keyboard may comprise a plurality ofdistinct keypads. Thus, for example, a “split” keyboard may have thealphanumeric keypad split into two discrete keypads. Many keyboards maycomprise a separate (from the alphanumeric keypad) numeric keypad. Inpreferred embodiments, the numeric keypad will possess many of thefeatures discussed above (e.g. bowl-shaped configuration, and/ornon-rectilinear key pillows and/or irregular key pillows, and/or roundedkeys, etc.).

It is noted that, in certain embodiments, the key offsets may vary bothin both a forward and a rear direction on a single key and/or in singlea row, etc.

This invention also provides for isolated keys or isolated key pillows(e.g. keys and/or key pillows not incorporated into a keyboard) for thede novo manufacture of keyboards or for the modification of existingkeyboards. In preferred embodiments, the keys or key pillows areprovided in collections (e.g. two or more keys or key pillows) withparticularly preferred collections providing sufficient numbers andtypes of keys to produce a keyboard according to this invention. Thecollections of keys may be provided to equipment manufacturers for theproduction of keyboards and/or to retailers and/or to end users (e.g. askits) for the modification of keyboards. Preferred “kits” may includekey pillows that can be affixed to the keys in existing keyboards, asdescribed herein. Other preferred kits may include keys that can be usedto replace the keys in an existing keyboard. Preferred kits optionallyinclude instructional materials teaching the use of the key pillowsand/or keys to modify an existing keyboard.

While the instructional materials typically comprise written or printedmaterials they are not limited to such. Any medium capable of storingsuch instructions and communicating them to an end user is contemplatedby this invention. Such media include, but are not limited to electronicstorage media (e.g., magnetic discs, tapes, cartridges, chips), opticalmedia (e.g., CD ROM), and the like. Such media may include addresses tointernet sites that provide such instructional materials.

In another embodiment, this invention pertains to a key pillowattachment 22. Referring now to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, there is shown akeyboard 20 according to this invention including a key pillowattachment 22 affixed thereon. In certain preferred embodiments, keypillow attachment 22 includes raised pads 24 a and 24 b for supportingthe palms, and a plurality of key pillows 26 fitting over each of thekeys on the keyboard. A base material 28 may surround and attach each ofthe key pillows 26 and pads 24 a and 24 b, so that the key pillowattachment 22 forms a continuous cover over the keyboard 20. Theattachment may be formed with elastic straps to hold the attachment onthe keyboard. Thus, the attachment may be easily removed, cleaned, andreplaced. Other known fastening systems may alternatively be used. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, the lower surface of theattachment is formed with negative impressions of the keys of keyboard20, to enable the attachment to fit over the keyboard keys. The uppersurface of the attachment includes the key pillows 26 directly over thekeys of the keyboard 20, which key pillows are formed to various heightsand inclinations as explained hereinafter.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the negative impression foreach key on the underside of the attachment is formed such that theattachment extends partially over the keys of the keyboard, i.e., sothat the attachment extends partially down along the vertical sides ofeach key. However, it is understood that the negative impression foreach key on the underside of the attachment may be formed to a depth sothat the attachment fits substantially entirely over the keys ofkeyboard 20. Moreover, in a further embodiment of the invention, thebottom surface of attachment 22 may be substantially flat, without anyimpressions. In this embodiment, the attachment may simply lie on top ofeach of the keys of keyboard 20. This latter embodiment may additionallyhave small brackets formed on the underside of the attachment, whichbrackets entirely or partially surround each key of the keyboard toassist in keeping the key pillows 26 aligned over their respective keys.Alternatively, this latter embodiment may be secured to the respectivekeys of keyboard 20 by an adhesive.

The attachment has thus far been described as fitting over keys of aconventional keyboard. However, in a further embodiment of theinvention, the keys of keyboard 20 may be omitted. In this embodiment, aattachment with a negative impression for each post on the underside ofthe attachment may be formed to a depth so that the attachment may befitted directly over the posts on which the keys are mounted inconventional keyboards. In any of the above-described keyboard andattachment embodiments, the attachment may simply rest over or on top ofthe keys or posts of the keyboard. Alternatively, an adhesive may beapplied to the underside of the attachment so that the attachment isfixedly held in place over or on top of the keys or posts of thekeyboard.

As mentioned above, the keys of a conventional keyboard may be replacedby keys having key pillows as illustrated and/or described herein.Alternatively, key pillows may be slipped on or glued (Velcro, orotherwise attached) to the tops of existing keys thereby providing newkey pillows with striking face(s) as described herein. When the keypillows 26 is pushed down, the respective key switch, i.e., theelectrical connection, is actuated. Where the above described attachmentis used, the attachment(s) is effectively the keyboard and therebyreplaces a conventional keyboard. It will be appreciated that key shapeand/or positioning features obtained with the keyboard attachment 22 mayalso be obtained in a keyboard made with keys in accordance with thisinvention.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the key pillows 26 may be formed of asoft, shock absorbent material, such as, for example, silicone, rubber,latex, urethane, foam, molded and filled spandex, or any combination ofthese materials. It is understood that the key pillows 26 may be formedof other materials in alternative embodiments of the invention. Asexplained above, due in part to the larger force required to initiate akey stroke as compared to the remainder of the stroke, a greater forceis applied downward on the keys by the fingers than the upward force ofthe keys during the latter portion of a keystroke. This results in animpact or shock to the fingers at the bottom of each key stroke. Theshock absorbent material from which the key pillows 26 are formed cangreatly reduce the shock received by the fingers upon initiallyimpacting the key, and upon the key reaching the bottom of a key stroke.

Dirt, dust, liquids, or other particulates may fall between keys inconventional keyboards. The particulates may cause the keys to stick,requiring an even greater force to free and depress the keys andresulting in even greater shock to the fingers. According to oneembodiment of the present invention, the attachment 22 covering theentire keyboard prevents particulates from passing between the keys intothe keyboard. Among other advantages, such a system ensures that theattachment surface can be easily cleaned, the keys do not stick, andreduces the shock to the fingers otherwise occurring upon actuation of astuck key.

The upper surfaces of key pillows 26 are preferably textured to reducethe likelihood of a finger slipping on a key, and to reduce the forcenecessary to depress a key. As would be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, the key pillows may be textured in various configurations,including, for example, nubs, ridges, fine bristles, or the character(s)appearing on the key being raised relative to the key surface. In apreferred embodiment, a representative outline of the alphanumericcharacter or function associated with a particular key may be indicatedon the upper surface of the key pillow located thereon. The uppersurface of the key pads may additionally or alternatively be coveredwith or made of a slip-resistant material. That is, the coefficient offriction of the keyboard or attachment according to the presentinvention is greater than on a standard computer keyboard.

As previously indicated, the height and angle of inclination of keypillows 26 on top of keyboard 20 may vary with respect to each other. Inone embodiment, the key pillows in the first and second rows (i.e., therows starting with “A” and “q”, respectively) of a conventional QWERTYkeyboard served by the pinky and ring finger (e.g., “q”, “w”, “tab”,“caps lock”, “shift”, “'”, “enter”, “,”, “.”, and “/”) may be extendhigher and more so than other keys on the keyboard as shown, e.g. inFIG. 8, so as to be in a comfort zone of a user (e.g. so as to notrequire undue effort or strain to actuate the key). The key pillows inthe first and second rows served by the pinky and ring fingers mayadditionally or alternatively have upper surfaces that are angled inwardtoward the center of the row or angled outward away from the center ofthe rows. The keys in the row above the home row may additionally oralternatively have surfaces angled downward toward the home row (i.e.the row beginning with “a” in a QWERTY format) so as to physicallyposition the keys closer to the shorter pinky and ring fingers. In apreferred embodiment of the invention the key pillows in the home rowand the row thereabove served by, and farthest from, the pinky and ringfinger may include the greatest angle of inclination toward the centeror downward toward the home row or even away from the home row.Providing these key pillows with a greater extension into the comfortzone relative to other surrounding key pillows makes it easier to strikethese keys by minimizing the repetitive stretching, twisting, andreaching of the shorter pinky and ring fingers. This in turn, reducesthe strain experienced by muscles and tendons in the lower arm, neck,and shoulder while typing.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper surfaces of the remaining keypillows in the home row and row thereabove, also be angled downwardtoward the home row e.g., as shown in FIG. 8. Moreover, the key pillowcovering the space bar may include one or more elevated sections,against which the thumb may strike. By providing one or more raisedsurfaces over the space bar, the amount by which the hand must rotateand/or the amount by which the thumb must extend to depress the spacebar is reduced. Again, inclining and/or elevating the upper surfaces ofthe above described key pillows makes it easier to depress these keys byminimizing the repetitive stretching, twisting, and reaching of thefingers. This, in turn, reduces the strain experienced by muscles andtendons in the lower arm, neck, and shoulder while typing.

Although a preferred embodiment includes key pillows with elevated andinclined upper surfaces, it is contemplated that the key pillows haveeven and substantially parallel upper surfaces, used in conjunction withother inventive features of the present invention, in alternativeembodiments. Additionally, it is contemplated that each key have thesame shape, contour and inclination in an alternative embodiment of theinvention. By surfaces of the key pillows as used above to define theshape of the key pillows, this language is intended to describe thethree-dimensional surface of the key pillows, and not simply the uppersurfaces of the key pillows. Thus, it could be said that the key pillowshave a sculpted form that extends into the comfort zone of a user.

The present invention, optionally, further includes raised pads 24 a and24 b shown in detail in FIG. 17. The pads are preferably formedintegrally on attachment 22, but may alternatively be affixed toattachment 22 after formation thereof. it is also possible that the pads24 a and 24 b are simply manufactured separately from the attachment 22and later connected thereto or placed proximate to the keyboard in aposition comfortable to the user.

The pads 24 a and 24 b are preferably slightly deformable so that thethenar eminence and hypothenar eminence of the hands may restcomfortably thereon, and may be formed of the same or different materialas attachment 22 or key pillows 26. In a preferred embodiment, the padsmay have a height of approximately 0.5 inches to approximately 3 inches,and optimally about 1 inch to about 2 inches. That is, in a preferredembodiment, the pads have a varying height across their width. Theheights listed above may vary in alternative embodiments of theinvention so as to accommodate hands of different users which vary insize. Alternatively, the pads may be uniform in height. The pads may beshaped so as to accommodate the contour of the hand or have a dip toavoid pressure on the carpal tunnel.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention includes two pads, itis understood that there may be one long pad along the front of keyboard20, or a pad comprised of several segments. The pads function to elevatea typist's palms relative to the keyboard during typing or resting. Thatis, the pads 24 a and 24 b maintain the user's palms at a height abovethe lip of the keyboard. The lip of the keyboard is that portion of thekeyboard between the front of the spacebar and the front of thekeyboard, with the front being the edge closest to the typist whilemaintaining a typing position. The pads additionally support the weightof a typist's hands, arms, and shoulders, thereby reducing strain at theneck and shoulders.

As indicated above, extended typing with the wrists bent at an awkwardangle is a significant contributor to CTS and other repetitive straininjuries. The height of the palm rests allows the user to comfortablymanipulate the key pillows 26 or conventional keys and easily resthis/her hands while reducing awkward bending of the wrist. Although apreferred embodiment includes pads 24 a and 24 b, it is contemplatedthat the pads may be omitted from the invention in alternativeembodiments. The pads 24 a and 24 b preferably have a groove 24 b-2located therein for support of the carpal tunnel.

In one embodiment the invention provides an attachment to a keyboardincluding a plurality of key pillows 26 and pads 24 a and 24 b providedon the attachment 22 to form a continuous sheet over the keyboard. Inother embodiments, of the present invention, instead of forming acontinuous attachment, each of the key pillows may be independentpieces, which may be added to select keys on keyboard 20 as desired. Inthis embodiment, each individual key pillow may include a lower surfacehaving a negative impression fitting partially or completely over selectkeys, and maintained thereon by a pressure contact between the keypillow and key or by an adhesive Velcro, or other attachment material.Alternatively, the individual key pillows may have a flat lower surface,and may be affixed to select keys by an adhesive or Velcro, etc.. As afurther alternative, selected keyboard keys may be omitted or removed,and the individual keys comprising key pillows as described hereinmounted over the key posts protruding from the keyboard or into keyslots/holes provided in the keyboard. The individual key pillowsaccording to this embodiment may be formed with the same materials,textures, elevations, and inclinations as the key pillows describedabove as part of attachment 22.

In the embodiment described in the preceding paragraph, the pads 24 aand 24 b may be affixed to the front edge of the keyboard by a pressurefit, using Velcro (e.g. Velcro tape) an adhesive, or other method. It isequally possible that the pads 24 a and 24 b are not fixed to thekeyboard, but rather are simply used proximate the keyboard. It is alsopossible that only a single palm rest is used, rather than two palmrests. Such may be the case where the user is operating a mouse, such asthat shown in FIG. 18, with a single hand.

When the key pillows are attached to selected individual keys of thekeyboards (or substituted for existing keys), the key pillows preferablyextend into the comfort zone of the user as described herein. That isthe key pillows are disposed so as to be easily reached by the fingersand hands of a user without undue stretching or twisting of the fingers,hands, and wrists, thereby decreasing the user's chances of incurring aRSI such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

As an alternative embodiment, the keyboard may be formed as a attachment22 shown in FIG. 9. The key pillows 26 are formed thereon and replacethe keys of the keyboard 20. As shown in this drawing, the palm rests 24a and 24 b are integral with the attachment 22, which acts as thekeyboard 20. Also, the palm rests according to this present invention,e.g., as shown in FIG. 17 may be used with a conventional keyboard asshown in FIG. 17.

In an alternative embodiment, the keyboard is formed to have only asingle key pillow formed thereon. One such device is shown in FIG. 16,where the key pillow 26 is formed only on the space bar. Although otherkeyboards might have the single key pillow 26 thereon, the key thatincludes the key pillow is preferably one that is used often, such asthe space bar, the shift, or the enter button. The keys of the keyboardmay be formed as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 or may be variantsthereof. FIG. 11 illustrates key pillows that extend into a comfort zoneof a user and whose shape is that of a plurality of line segments 44joined together for form a continuous semi-curved surface any one ofwhich may act as a striking face 34. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12the key pillows could be formed as two blocks, 40 and 42, that intersectat an angle of up to 90 degrees. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, thekey pillows could be formed with a flat top surface 46 and an arcuatestem 48. Any and all of these key pillows e.g., as shown in FIG. 3A,FIG. 3B, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, could be incorporated into a single keyboard.As shown in FIG. 8, key pillows corresponding to those shown in FIG. 11are labeled 26-2, those corresponding to FIG. 12 are labeled 26-3, andthose corresponding to FIG. 13 are labeled 26-4.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 illustrate another embodiment of the presentinvention, which is particularly useful for portable computers 50 andother portable devices e.g. devices which incorporate processing units(CPUs) and which require some input through a keyboard. A laptopcomputer is depicted in FIG. 14. The keyboard with key pillows formedthereon is inflatable through in inlet 52. It is also possible to havethe keyboard automatically inflate. Alternatively the key pillows are aviscoelastic material that simply deforms when the computer is closedand regains its form when the computer is open. Thus, the key pillowsmay be deflated/compressed, e.g. as shown in FIG. 14, for a compactprofile facilitating storage and carrying. When the computer is opened,the key pillows may be inflated or naturally expand (e.g. through anelastic process) and regain their desired shape (e.g. as shown in FIG.15).

As noted above, the present invention may be utilized on devices otherthan keyboards. Computer mice are just such an example. Use of computermice can be a significant source of RSI. FIG. 18 illustrates the presentinvention as applied to a computer mouse. The mouse is shown with a keypillow 86 formed thereon, with the key pillow extending into the comfortzone of a user.

The keys, key pillows, keyboards, keyboard attachments, and the like ofthis invention are fabricated using standard methods well known to thoseof skill in the art. Keyboard manufacture methods, plastic extrusionmethods, and the like are fully described in a number of references(see, e.g., U.S. Pat No. RE32,419) and are well known to themanufacturers of such equipment.

Although the invention has been described in detail herein, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereindisclosed. Various changes, substitutions and modifications may be madethereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as described and defined by the appended claims.All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

1. A keyboard comprising a plurality of keys disposed such that thealphanumeric keys form a continuous key array defining a key arraysurface having at least two concave regions.
 2. The keyboard of claim 1,wherein a plurality of keys comprising a concave region in said keyarray are not stepped.
 3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein a pluralityof keys comprising said keyboard are sloped.
 4. The keyboard of claim 1,wherein: striking faces of the keys are disposed at varying heights suchthat the faces in a home row typically struck with the pinky are higherthan keys in a home row typically struck by the middle finger; the angleof the striking faces of the keys varies with the location of the keysin the keyboard; and the planar projections of the striking faces of aplurality of keys comprising said keyboard are not rectilinear.
 5. Thekeyboard of claim 19, wherein the planar projection of the strikingfaces of a plurality of keys comprising said keyboard are notrectangular, not circular, not square, and not L-shaped.
 6. The keyboardof claim 1, wherein, wherein the planar projection of the striking facesof a plurality of keys comprising said keyboard are substantially ovoid.7. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, wherein a row of keys in thekeyboard comprises three or more letter keys the striking faces of whichhave different lateral offsets.
 8. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein arow of keys in the keyboard comprises three or more letter keys thestriking faces of which have different forward offsets.
 9. The keyboardof claim 19, wherein said keyboard comprises a row of keys wherein theorientation of the striking faces of the keys varies along a row. 10.(canceled)
 11. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the orientation of themajor principal axis of the striking faces of the keys in a row varieswith the position of the keys in said row.
 12. (canceled)
 13. Thekeyboard of claim 1, wherein the planar projection of the striking facesof a plurality of keys comprising said keyboard are not square, notcircular, not L-shaped, and not rectangular, and wherein the orientationof the striking faces of the keys varies along a row.
 14. The keyboardof claim 1, wherein keys in the row above the home row have surfacesangled downward toward the home row so as to physically position thekeys closer to the pinky and ring fingers.
 15. The keyboard of claim 1,wherein the keys in the row below the home row have surfaces angledupward toward the home row so as to physically position the keys closerto the pinky and ring fingers.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The keyboard of claim1, wherein the vertical distance between the lower-most striking face ofa key comprising one of said concave regions and the uppermost strikingface of a key on said keyboard is at most about 10 mm.
 18. The keyboardof claim 1, wherein a “D” key forms the lowest point of one of saidconcave regions.
 19. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein a “K” key formsthe lowest point of one of said concave regions.
 20. The keyboard ofclaim 1, wherein the keys comprising a concave region in said key arrayhave striking faces oriented such that lines normal to the strikingfaces at least four keys all point in different directions. 21-50.(canceled)
 51. A key for an electronic keyboard, said key comprising atleast two striking faces. 52-53. (canceled)
 54. A kit for thefabrication or modification of a keyboard, said kit comprising aplurality of keys or key pillows sufficient to produce a keyboard ofclaim
 1. 55-63. (canceled)
 64. A key for a keyboard, said key comprisinga key pedestal, and a key pillow wherein said key pillow is shaped toprovide a striking face that is not horizontal and not vertical when thekey is present in a keyboard and where the striking face has a singletopmost point.